The most significant feature coming to iOS 18.2 is ChatGPT Siri integration. So what does this mean? … [+]
Apple’s iOS 18.2 update is coming soon, along with a slew of game-changing new features for iPhone security and privacy.
The most significant new feature coming to iOS 18.2 is ChatGPT Siri integration. So what does this mean for your security and privacy?
What does iOS 18.2 ChatGPT integration mean for privacy?
ChatGPT integration is perhaps the most anticipated feature of Apple Intelligence, and it’s coming to iOS 18.2. It comes after Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI, which makes ChatGPT, last year.
Some questions can be answered by Siri herself, but in iOS 18.2 you can say “Ask ChatGPT” and send your request directly to the AI chatbot. You can compose original text using ChatGPT – a step beyond what you can do with Apple’s tools, which only work with your already composed text.
You can also create images through ChatGPT for Siri, using ChatGPT’s image generation intelligence.
So what does all this mean for privacy? Sending requests to ChatGPT is obviously a concern, but Apple makes it clear that it asks for your express permission before sharing data with a third party.
In iOS 18.2 beta, ChatGPT is disabled by default. Siri will always ask for permission before sending your data to ChatGPT. You can also use it without having an OpenAI account, but there is a daily limit.
However, it’s important to note that using ChatGPT requires sending some data to OpenAI, so if you’re using it on iOS 18.2, be aware of what you’re sharing. “Simply asking Siri what’s in a photo may seem innocuous, but to perform this action, a copy will be shared with ChatGPT and analyzed and possibly even saved,” says Jake Moore, global advisor for cyber security at ESET.
“For users who choose to access ChatGPT through Siri or Text, privacy protections are built in—their IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI will not store requests,” Apple says.
However: “ChatGPT’s data usage policies apply to those who choose to link their account.”
As for Apple Intelligence itself, requests are processed on the device, or in Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, which the iPhone maker says offers strong security. So much so that it has even invited developers to test for vulnerabilities.
Beyond ChatGPT – Siri awareness on screen
Apple has a new API that lets developers make on-screen content available in their apps for Siri and Apple Intelligence, laying the groundwork for on-screen awareness, MacRumors reports.
“When a user asks a question about the content on the screen or wants to perform an action on it, Siri and Apple Intelligence can retrieve the content to answer the question and perform the action,” Apple’s documentation says. “If the user explicitly requests it, Siri and Apple Intelligence may send content to supported third-party services.”
ChatGPT integration with Siri in iOS 18.2 lets you ask questions about photos and documents, such as PDFs and presentations. For example, you can ask Siri “what’s in this picture?” and Siri will take a screenshot and hand it to ChatGPT to broadcast what’s in the image.
This is not awareness on the screen, MacRumors says: the feature will come with iOS 18.4 next spring, according to Apple commentator Mark Gurman, Bloomberg. Still, it’s a sign of Apple’s preparation for the feature — which itself could raise privacy concerns if permissions aren’t handled very carefully.
Other interesting features of iOS 18.2
Another very cool new feature coming to iOS 18.2 is the ability to trust a new computer with Face ID. Previously, this required a passcode.
Apple’s soon-to-be-launched iOS 18.2 update is sure to be a big one that’s sure to arrive before the holidays. Just make sure you keep your security and privacy in mind before using the new features, especially the ChatGPT Siri integration.